Phoenix Suns 2010-11 Media Guide - NBA Media Central

Season Review 95-96
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Review95-96
Review95-96
Season
Several outstanding individual performances and historical milestones
highlighted the season, most notably Charles Barkley becoming the 10th
player in NBA history to reach the 20,000 point-10,000 rebound level
(Feb. 19 vs. Vancouver).
RECORD
41-41
The Suns failed to win 50 or more games for the first time since 1987-88 and endured 26
lineup changes and 296 games missed due to injury/illness.
At the start of training camp, the Suns acquired John “Hot Rod” Williams from Cleveland
for Dan Majerle, Antonio Lang and a conditional first-round draft pick. On January 16,
Cotton Fitzsimmons replaced Paul Westphal as head coach and guided the team to a 27-22
record in his third stint at the Suns helm.
Danny Manning missed the first 42 games recovering from a torn anterior cruciate
ligament in his left knee, but played in 33 of the remaining 40 and averaged 13.4 points
and 4.3 rebounds. Barkley averaged 23.2 points and 11.6 rebounds, his best averages since
earning the league MVP award in 1993. He was also Player of the Month for February. Kevin
Johnson, the NBA’s Player of the Week (April 7), overcame early-season injuries that forced
him to miss 26 games and averaged 18.7 points and 9.2 assists.
Michael Finley, who was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, became the first Suns
rookie since Walter Davis to score 1,000 points. A.C. Green completed his ninth-straight
season without missing a game and pushed his consecutive games played streak to 813,
third in NBA history.
The Suns were the No. 7 seed in the West and were without Finley, who suffered a
sprained left ankle in the final quarter of the season finale at Houston. For the first time
since 1991, the Suns lost in the first round, as San Antonio scored a 3-1 series win.
FRONT ROW: Head Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons, Assistant Coach Donn Nelson, Assistant Coach Paul Silas,
Terrence Rencher, Wesley Person, Charles Barkley, Michael Finley, Kevin Johnson, Elliot Perry, Equipment
Manager Rich Howell, Assistant Trainer Aaron Nelson, Trainer Joe Proski.
BACK ROW: Strength Coach Robin Pound, Chris Carr, Wayman Tisdale, A.C. Green, Joe Kleine, John Coker, John
Williams, Mario Bennett, Danny Manning, Video Coach Garrick Barr, NBA Scout Todd Quinter.